The conversation around England's upcoming Test squad has turned sharply toward the rising talent of James Rew, a 22‑year‑old left‑handed batsman who has been setting the County Championship alight. In a recent Sky Sports Cricket podcast, former England captains Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain dissected Rew's impressive run‑scoring record and debated where, if at all, he could fit into the national side.
Rew currently tops the domestic run charts, second only to Jamie Smith, with a staggering 379 runs at an average of 75.80. His consistency has forced pundits to ask whether the England middle order – anchored by Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – will ever open a door for a newcomer. The consensus among the two former captains is that the middle order is effectively locked in, meaning Rew’s most realistic pathway to a Test debut lies in the opening slot.
Atherton opened the discussion by acknowledging Rew’s form: "James Rew is getting lots of runs and playing really well. But that middle order is locked up, isn’t it? You're not going to get in the middle order.
So opening the batting, I think there's going to be a vacancy there because I don't see Crawley getting picked." He went on to stress the delicate balance between a county’s needs and England’s development goals, noting that Somerset would have to weigh the benefit of promoting Rew to the top of the order against the risk of weakening their own championship campaign. Hussain added a historical perspective, recalling how England has previously reshaped its top order to accommodate emerging talent. He quoted former Glamorgan player‑turned‑writer Steve James, who suggested that Rew should press Somerset to give him an opening berth.
"If he's done so well at four, then they could just turn to him and say, 'we'll do what's best for us', to be honest," Hussain said, underscoring the idea that opening is a specialist role that cannot be handed out lightly. Both former captains examined the practicalities of moving existing players.
Bethell, who currently bats at three, has never opened in first‑class cricket. Root, a fixture at four, would be reluctant to shift down the order, and the idea of swapping Bethell and Rew raises further complications.
"Could you move Bethell up to open and have Rew at three? The problem is obviously Root doesn't want to move from four," Hussain observed, highlighting the tactical puzzle England faces. The broader context of the 2026 County Championship also entered the conversation. Atherton pointed out that a player must be batting in the top three for his county if he hopes to be considered for an opening role at the national level.
He cited past experiments, such as Dan Lawrence’s brief stint at three, which failed to produce the desired results. "I wouldn't be shoving Root in from the middle order if that's where he's staying. They did it with Dan Lawrence. It wasn't a success, but you felt they were just keeping the seat warm there.
I think you've got to be batting in the top three," Atherton explained. The statistics reinforce the argument for Rew. In the current championship round, the leading run‑scorers are: - Jamie Smith: 396 runs, 99.00 average - James Rew: 379 runs, 75.80 average - Tom Abell: 337 runs, 56.16 average - Joe Clarke: 273 runs, 68.25 average - Oliver Cox: 266 runs, 88.66 average - Ben Foakes: 255 runs, 127.50 average These figures illustrate that Rew is not just a flash in the pan; he is consistently outperforming many established county players.
Yet, the step from county success to Test selection is not automatic. England’s selectors must consider the composition of the opening partnership, the ability to negotiate the new ball, and the long‑term development of the team. Beyond the opening dilemma, Atherton and Hussain also highlighted other emerging talents worth watching ahead of the England versus New Zealand series beginning on June 4 at Lord’s. Atherton praised young fast bowlers such as Sonny Baker, who is delivering pace and bounce, and Henry Crocombe of Sussex, who is showing promising improvement.
He also defended Sam Cook, a 28‑year‑old seamer who, despite a quiet debut, possesses the skill set to become a mainstay in the England attack. "He's 28 and should be in his prime yet for two or three years and knocking on the door with wickets," Atherton said. The discussion also touched on the broader competitive landscape for England’s bowlers. With names like Ollie Robinson and Matt Fisher vying for spots, Cook must maintain form and fitness to stay in contention.
Meanwhile, the veteran Jimmy Anderson continues to dominate Division Two, leading Lancashire with a prolific wicket haul and proving that experience still matters at the county level. In summary, James Rew’s case for a Test debut hinges on a combination of his extraordinary domestic record, the current rigidity of England’s middle order, and the strategic need for a reliable opener. If Somerset can accommodate him at the top of their lineup, and if the England selectors are willing to experiment with the opening slot, Rew could very well find himself in the England shirt for the first Test at Lord’s.
Until then, the conversation will continue to revolve around how best to balance county ambitions with national requirements, a challenge that has defined England’s selection policy for decades.